Drives and Destinations

Kids pan for gold at Columbia State Park. Photo by Rich E. Mann TASTE News Service June 8, 2015 - Winners of the 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Kid-Friendly Destinations are in. Nominees in the contest, sponsored by USA Today and 10Best.com, were chosen by a panel of experts and voted on by the public. Yosemite National Park secured the No. 10 spot, the only national park on the list. Other picks were the theme park homes of Anaheim (No. 4), Orlando (No.6) and San Diego (No.7). Niagara Falls, New York took the No. 1 spot. Yosemite National Park's…

TASTE News Service May 9, 2015 – Amador Four Fires, a new concept wine and food event launched its inaugural festival on Saturday, May 2 at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. Nearly 2,200 wine and food enthusiasts came to sip and savor at a unique festival designed to showcase Amador’s finest products and to benefit the Amador Fair Foundation. The exceptional attendance at a first-time event surprised even its co-producer Deidre Mueller who said “We were hoping to get some local and regional interest, but the attendance was far beyond anything I could have hoped for.” The event offered…

Presidio of San Francisco from the air in 2008 TASTE News Service. San Francisco, May 6, 2015 - The Presidio Trust has announced the selection of James Corner Field Operations (Field Operations), a New York City-based firm, to design 13 acres of new Presidio parkland at the Golden Gate. A military presence was established on this northernmost tip of the San Francisco Peninsula by Spanish troops in 1776. Subsequently, the land was used by the Mexican Army until assumed by the American Military in 1848. Long the headquarters of U.S. 6th Army, The Presidio was ceded to civilian control of…

Squaw Valley scene by photographer Hank deVre TASTE News Service April 13, 2015 - Squaw Valley Ski Holdings announced today that it has reached an agreement with the owner of private land located between Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows to create a base-to-base gondola connection between the two iconic mountains. The gondola would make it easy for skiers and riders to explore both mountains with a single lift ticket or season pass, without needing to travel between the two by car. “For decades, skiers and riders have talked about connecting these two world-class resorts,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO…

Yosemite Falls TASTE News Service, April 8, 2015 – Yosemite/Mariposa County, home to Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove, is blooming for the springtime. The waterfalls are flowing and the wildflowers are blossoming. Wildflowers in the area appear according to elevation, with earliest blooms starting in April at the lowest elevations and gradually emerging at the highest elevations as late as July. The first displays at low elevations are dramatic bursts of tufted poppies, spider lupines, and redbud, bursting out along the Highway 140 corridor of the Merced River. While plenty of sightseeing can be done by the roadside, hikers at…

TASTE News Service February 18, 2015 - The spa travel website Spas of America has released its inaugural ranking of the Top 50 California Spas of 2014 based on consumer behavior on its website. “Since we launched Spas of America ten years ago, California has played the lead for North America's spa and wellness industry,” says Spas of America president Craig Oliver. “Long known for its warm sunshine and fresh-air attitude, California is our most searched region, and home to our largest audience of spa consumers.” Spa travel has become an important driver for the state's tourism industry as reported…

TASTE News Service February 17, 2015 – The spotlight shines on Universal Studios Hollywood as it celebrates a milestone 50th anniversary with the much-anticipated opening of the “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” thrill ride, “Springfield,” an-all new immersive experience surrounding “The Simpsons Ride,” and a “Nighttime Studio Tour” as part of the theme park’s pioneering epic transformation. This undertaking—the most ambitious in the theme park’s storied 50-year history—will radically alter and reimagine its familiar footprint as it sets its sights on the next 50 years. From its humble beginnings five decades ago, Universal Studios Hollywood has emerged as a progressive and exciting…

Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain TASTE News Service January 6, 2015 – Samuel Langhorne Clemens is returning to Northern California’s Gold Country. The acclaimed American author and humorist, best known by his pen name Mark Twain, who spent nearly three months in this historic Gold Country town during the winter of 1864-1865, will reappear via the world film premiere of 88 Days in the Motherlode: Mark Twain Finds His Voice. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sam Clemens’ visit to Angels Camp, This ‘n That Films, in partnership with Greenhorn Creek Resort and CAMPS Restaurant, will present their new documentary…

Palm Springs Art Museu in Palm Desert TASTE News Service December 4, 2014 - Greater Palm Springs is a thriving center for visual arts—both inside the museums and galleries and outside. In high season, art fairs are plentiful, but you can also enjoy free public art year-round, any time you like. Thanks to plentiful Art in Public Places' programs in many cities, there are maps and tours of public art, and much to see – from murals to mosaics, fountains and sculptures. Self-drive art tours are a great way to discover the Coachella Valley. In the agricultural town of Coachella,…

TASTE News Service November 9, 2014 - Just because the price of craft cocktails is steadily climbing doesn’t mean there’s no fun to be had for the budget-conscious traveler. Here’s nine (or more) fun ways to experience the city without breaking the bank. 1. Cable Cars It only takes $6 to ride San Francisco’s iconic cable cars, the National Historic Landmark that moves. When you’re done, stop by the one-of-a-kind San Francisco Cable Car Museum to learn more about their inner workings. In the historic Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse, the site where the cable system has operated since 1907, you can…

David Vierra with wolf pumpkin TASTE News Service October 8, 2014 - Growers up and down California have created seasonal, small-scale agricultural amusement parks built around pumpkin patches. A visit givers urban families a chance to commune with nature, expose their children to a simplified version of farming and, or course, buy pumpkins right at the source. Additional activities like hay rides, corn maze navigation and cider tasting tend to justify taking a ride into the country and also provide the grower with income additional to the sale of pumpkins. Dave's Pumpkin Patch is one such place. Though just 10…

Holiday lighting at The Del TASTE News Service September 18, 2014 - “Hotel del Coronado's holiday celebrations have always reflected the spirit of America itself,” according to author and Del historian, Christine Donovan. “For example, when the hotel opened in 1888, the nation was experiencing a renewed interest in the first Thanksgiving, which helped popularize our bountiful, Pilgrim-inspired harvest meal—a tradition that has held fast for more than 100 years.” The resort's original vacation season, when guests from Eastern cities spent the entire winter season at the hotel, mirrors today's current holiday season of Thanksgiving through New Year's. At that…